Faith-Based Leadership 101

Has your faith or spiritual practice inspired you to undertake a project to help members of your local community? Do you love Southern California and all of its sprawling, sun-soaked diversity? Would you jump at the chance to learn about faith-based civic engagement from veteran activists across a wide spectrum of religious belief?

The Interreligious Council of Southern California (IRC) and the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture (CRCC) are accepting applications for the inaugrual cohort of "Future50," a project aimed at highlighting the work of a rising generation of leaders motivated by faith to make an impact in their communities. In addition to bringing wider attention to transformative, faith-based civic engagement across greater Los Angeles, IRC will provide Future50 cohort member with mentoring and cross-cultural networking opportunities to commemorate IRC's nearly half-century of promoting hands-on efforts to create positive social change in the region.

The application process is open now through April 25, 2014 for participants in a cohort of 50 men and women between the ages 24 and 35 who are committed to religious pluralism, social change and the betterment of the lives of all Angelenos.

Selected individuals will be profiled on the CRCC website and have their work highlighted in a report about the future of religious leadership in Los Angeles.

In addition, participants will be invited by the Interreligious Council of Southern California to work work closely with faith-based mentors, meet civic leaders who share their commitment to activism and have a chance to hone new knowledge and skills in a project benefitting residents of an economically challenged community.

"Future50 participants will explore diverse traditions and find common cause with one another, both now and in the years ahead," said Robert Williams, an IRC vice president representing of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. "IRC is honored to collaborate with CRCC and the Future50 cohort to enhance the varied ways that faith communities engage and nurture young adults, including those with leadership potential."

"The future religious leadership of Los Angeles will be young people who are committed to making the city better for all," said Brie Loskota, CRCC's Managing Director. "We're looking for those who will work breathe new life into congregations and faith-based organizations and who see the deep and complex pluralism of L.A. as one of its greatest assets."

Future50 will offer young faith-based activists the recognition they need to broaden their vision, enrich their skill sets and expand their networks. In short, the project will give untapped faith-based leaders a chance to shine, to the benefit of us all.

Future50 FAQs
For more information about Future50, please check out our list of FAQs.